Hello St. John’s Family,
In conversations over the years, I’ve heard many people mention Here I Am, Lord as one of their favorite songs. And with good reason! A powerful message set to a beautiful tune, Here I Am, Lord has a way of warming our hearts. During a time when I was wrestling with God over a call to ministry, I can vividly remember being moved to tears as I tried to sing (or more accurately stammer) along. This is one of those songs that connects with our souls.
I sense that, while the message of that song is powerful, it is also hard to follow through on after the song ends. I will go, Lord / if you lead me / I will hold your people in my heart. That isn’t always easy… stepping out when God calls or nudges us to serve, while holding God’s people in our heart. There is risk involved – sometimes even discomfort. God, though, has an amazing way of bringing beautiful results when we step out in faith to serve. Over the past year, St. John’s has experienced this firsthand as Lynne Tomlinson has stepped out in faith to coordinate our weekly Cornerstone Newsletter.
When responsibilities needed to be filled due to staff transitions, Lynne stepped out in service. I’m fairly certain she didn’t know what she was getting herself into… yet that didn’t stop her! Each week, Lynne organized the multitude of announcements, searched for graphics, patiently waited (and waited) for a note from the pastor, and then fit it all together with creativity and excellence so we can stay up to date on congregational life and ministry at St. John’s. All this was done from the heartfelt desire to serve God by stepping out in faith. I’ve been uplifted and blessed by Lynne’s service, and I am deeply thankful for her willingness to serve.
I wanted to share Lynne’s example of faithful service for two reasons. First, in the coming weeks, Lynne will be releasing this role to Brittany Buckley, who will be working with St. John’s to coordinate our communications and media. Brittany comes to us with significant experience in digital communications, social media feeds, newsletters, and website development. Brittany lives in Arlington, Texas (yes – you read that correctly!), and just happens to be a member of a United Methodist Church there. Brittany has worked remotely for five years, and her experience will help us as we adjust some processes. I look forward to working with Brittany and seeing the ways God uses her considerable gifts at St. John’s.
The second reason for sharing Lynne’s story: St. John’s has many opportunities for you to step out in faith; many opportunities for you to say “yes” to God and allow God to bring great things from your faithful efforts. In the coming weeks, you’ll hear much more about those opportunities. Opportunities from reading scripture and welcoming people as they arrive on Sunday, to joining one of our choirs or bell choirs, to serving with our A/V team or Caring Ministries team, to assisting around our facility – even assisting with the 2023 Vacation Bible School. A critical need for the upcoming year is for servants to work with our children, as teachers, assistants, or nursery aids. At least 6 teachers and 6 assistants are needed to sustainably offer 2 children’s Sunday school classes. Please prayerfully consider serving for a month in one of these roles.
Early this fall, we’ll all have the opportunity to say yes to God on Yes Day. My prayer is that God’s question of Whom shall I send will warm our hearts anew and stir us to action… as we say Yes, God! Here I am – send me!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Brad
(Disclaimer: Some of the sentiments expressed herein
are not necessarily those of the Editor)
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WORSHIP - SAFETY PRECAUTIONS |
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Please click below to read the latest Congregational Update regarding COVID-19 measures: |
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Come Worship with us this Sunday,
July 17, 2022
Contemporary Praise Service
at 9:00 AM
Traditional Service
at 10:30 AM
This service can be viewed LIVE through
St. John's Youtube Channel
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or on our homepage:
www.stjohnsivyland.com
Past worship service videos can also be found:
Auto-generated closed captions are usually provided by YouTube about a week after the service has posted for the hearing impaired.
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Fellowship & Community Outreach |
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Movie Night
Under the Stars
is Back!
Add Saturday, August 13th at dusk to your calendar . . .
Can you guess which fun, fabulous movie will be featured?
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GriefShare 13 week Session
Wednesdays from 6:30 - 8:30 pm
September 7 – December 7, 2022
GriefShare is a support group that meets weekly.
You will find it to be a warm, caring environment
and you will come to see your group as an
“oasis” on your journey through grief.
You may register online at griefshare.org.
There is a $20 fee for materials.
For further information
contact Carol Campbell
or go to griefshare.org.
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St. John's UMC, Ivyland
American Red Cross Blood Drive
You did it again! We exceeded our goal and collected 50 units of blood! That’s 150 lives positively affected by those who donated! We could not have done it without the generosity of our blood donors and volunteers!
Yes - God is Good!
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St. John's Chicken BBQ
Saturday,
September 17, 2022
Food, Fun, Fellowship
Save the date to volunteer and to have a great dinner, too.
And don't forget to invite
all your friends!
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The Grace Cafe is Open!
Stop by between services for a freshly brewed cup of Warrior Coffee, a sweet treat, and fellowship with your St. John's family.
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Kids Church and Sunday School will be back in September with more great times and interesting Bible stories. Enjoy summer worship with your family. |
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Youth Activities Calendar
Youth Sunday School and regular Sunday night Youth Group will resume in the fall. Check back regularly for summer happenings including Community Campfire nights, which start July 6th
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Community Campfires in July and August
Starting on
July 6th
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All ages Community Campfires
Bring a friend, bring a neighbor, bring your family members. Bring a chair
and a soft drink!
Hot dogs and marshmallows provided.
7:30 - 9 PM
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Throughout the summer months, our Music Ministry features special music by many of our talented singers and musicians. Be sure to let them know how their gifts enriched your worship experience.
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Donations Needed of
Non-perishable foods
Please place contributions in the shopping carts located in the narthex
Volunteers are also needed to deliver food and clothing to the Eastwick Food Bank.
Thank you for your support.
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BIBLE STUDIES & DEVOTIONALS |
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St. John's Book Club
Wednesday, August 3rd
10 AM and 7 PM
The Personal Librarian is a fictionalized telling of the lifework of Belle da Costa Greene, the personal librarian to J. P. Morgan, as well as the first director of the Morgan Library & Museum
Facilitators: Carol Campbell and
Barbara Schneider
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Starting in the Fall of 2022
Think you know all about the Old Testament prophets? And why should you care anyway?
You may be surprised!
Our next study on Wednesdays evenings will be Disciple III FastTrack. This is a 24-week comprehensive study with manageable daily scripture readings. The first half focuses on Old Testament prophets; the second half on the Letters of Paul.
Ken Lee, facilitator
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Disciple III FastTrack study guide on The Prophets available at Cokesbury or Christianbook.com or other online providers. |
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To view the video shown on UWF Sunday, please click
the link.
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United Methodist Men
We're back . . .
with a Gourmet Breakfast on Saturday, August 20th at 9 AM
HERE in Fellowship Hall.
(Free will offering to cover cost of breakfast.)
RSVP to Jack Donovan
Final planning meeting for our
world-famous Chicken BBQ to be held on September 17th.
(Can you help in the kitchen at 7 AM? Let Jack know.
Please and thank you!
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Jeanne Johnson, beloved aunt of Terri Robinson, recently entered into life eternal. Family visitation will be Friday, July 22 from 9-10 AM, with the memorial service immediately following at 10 AM here at St. John's. Please keep the family in your prayers.
Doris Clift, beloved mother of Sharon (Rich) Prim, entered into life eternal on July 18th.. The family will receive visitors here at St. John's between 10 and 11 AM on Saturday, July 23rd, with the service immediately following at 11 AM. Please keep the Prim family in your prayers.
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Prayer requests can be submitted
Prayer requests are reviewed
Monday-Friday AM.
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All "Ongoing Prayer Concerns"
will be listed for two weeks.
Please submit a new prayer request
if you desire to renew the listing for 2 additional weeks.
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PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
Meets the 2nd Tuesday of the Month
10 AM in the Parlor.
Come join us in knitting/crocheting various items for those in need.
Contact Carol Rice for more information.
Requests for prayer shawls or lap robes to comfort those experiencing serious illness, bereavement, or other major life issues may be made through the prayer request form on the church website, or by contacting the church office
at 215-357-6998 or stjumc@aol.com.
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MOBILE GIVING
- Just go to our website stjohnsivyland.com
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Click on the 'Give' button in red, Donate Any Amount and register.
Once you've registered, you can either make donations by debit or credit. Lenten Offerings may also be received through our website.
TEXT GIVING
Simply text the amount you wish to give to 877-960-2396.
You will immediately receive a one-time registration link, then just follow the prompts to complete your donation!
You may also send your tithes and offerings to the church office:
820 Almshouse Road, Ivyland, PA 18974
If you have any questions about mobile or text giving,
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St. John's Links & Information |
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If your contact information changes:
address, phone, email, etc.
please notify the church office at
215-357-6998 or stjumc@aol.com
and we'll be sure to update your information in our files.
Thank you!
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WHAT'S HAPPENING!
The latest Devotionals, News and Worship Videos can be be accessed below, as well as, under the
"What's Happening"tab on our website.
www.stjohnsivyland.com
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CCLI Streaming License #CSPL049266 |
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St. John's Ivyland UMC
820 Almshouse Road
Ivyland, PA 18974
stjohnsivyland.com
Rev. Brad Leight, Sr. Pastor
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